Topping off for first phase of $650M AVE Hamilton Green project in White Plains: VIDEO

A 30-feet-by-60-feet American flag was hoisted aloft by a crane to mark the topping off of the first phase of the $650 million AVE Hamilton Green mixed-use project in downtown White Plains on the site of the former White Plains Mall. The project is by the Cappelli Organization, RXR and Korman Communities.

“The Cappelli Organization is pleased to join with our development partners and our partners from the City of White Plains and Westchester County, as we celebrate the reimagination of this key property in the heart of downtown,” Louis R. Cappelli, president of the Cappelli Organization, said. “A prior developer started working on this project seven years ago and we got involved three years ago. We are very proud today as we celebrate a significant milestone of this magnificent new development.”

Cappelli thanked city officials from White Plains and Westchester County officials for their cooperation in quickly dealing with issues that arose in the early stages of the project.

“This is absolutely not possible to do without cooperation from the local municipality and governments,” Cappelli said. “There have been so many ‘issues’ that we have come up with in the building of this project from day one, the first shovel of dirt we took, and how could there not be when you try to do something as complex as this. Every one of them, at the county level and the city level especially has been settled smartly, quickly and to the satisfaction of both parties.”

Joseph Graziose, executive vice president of development services at RXR. said, “Our vision for this site is becoming a reality: a state-of-the-art mixed-use transit-oriented and amenity-driven residential complex.”

Graziose called AVE Hamilton Green a true example of what can be done when public and private sectors come together to reimagine a city’s downtown.

“Locations like this are walkable, transit-oriented and have the vibrancy of a New York City neighborhood without the New York City cost of living,” Graziose said.

AVE Hamilton Green is slated for a phased completion in 2024 and 2025. It features two residential buildings: 25 Cottage, a 12-story, 170-unit building and 5 Cottage, a 26-story, 307-unit tower. AVE Hamilton Green includes a 559-space underground parking garage, 55,000 square feet of open space and 39,000 square feet of commercial space. There is a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments including bi-level loft and penthouse layouts. There will be some furnished apartments with flexible lease options for stays of 30 days or longer, Phase II of the development will involve the construction of 390 more residential units, 405 additional parking spaces and 45,000 square feet of commercial space. Pre-leasing of the apartments of AVE Hamilton Green is underway.

The apartments in the development feature: floor-to-ceiling windows equipped with high tech View Glass; stainless steel appliances; soft-close, wood cabinetry; quartz countertops and backsplashes; walk-in closets; and wood-inspired vinyl plank flooring.

Community amenities include: co-working spaces equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi; fitness centers with dedicated studio space; a spa offering private massage and infrared sauna rooms; a golf simulator; TV and gaming lounges; an indoor pool; courtyard space with grilling stations; a pet spa and indoor run; and a landscaped plaza covering more than one acre.

“AVE Hamilton Green marks a momentous occasion for Korman Communities as the organization returns to Westchester County for the first time in over a decade,” said Bradley Korman, co-CEO of Korman Communities. He praised the workers who have been building the development for their dedication and craftsmanship, as did Cappelli and Graziose.

State Sen. Pete Harckham, who chairs the State Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation, also spoke at the topping off event. Cappelli noted that the state’s brownfield site cleanup program is vital for ensuring an environmentally sound construction site. Harckham said that the brownfield cleanup program has been successful in providing more than $2 billion in tax credits for brownfield site cleanup, which has resulted in $17 billion in development investments. Harckham said that as an environmentalist he supports smart development such as AVE Hamilton Green.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer described AVE Hamilton Green as “a development that appeals to everyone, combining residential units, retail space and restaurants with the walkability of downtown White Plains.”

Westchester County’s Director of Operations Joan McDonald pointed out that the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency is supporting the project by providing $13 million in sales tax exemptions and $3.5 million in mortgage recording tax exemptions.

According to White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, “Hamilton Green will move forward our goal of bringing more energy to the transit district, providing housing, retail and dining opportunities to residents and visitors alike.”